News and updates from Cellhire

Exciting news is set to arrive in the telecoms industry, with Earth surface wide providers of voice and data coverage to satellite phones, Iridium, pledging to invest $3 billion into researching and developing an upgrade of their satellite network. The proposed development which is set to be the biggest of Iridium’s Satellite Network in 20 years, is believed to be available as early as June 2018, although it is not expected that all desired services will be fully functional by then. Iridium has aptly named this development Certus (which is originally derived from Latin and translates to mean translates ‘sure’ or ‘certain’). With a $3 billion upgrade on the cards, it’s time to find out what’s involved and how Iridium Certus will be used- and above all will it prove to be a ‘certain’ success!

How does it work?

The $3 billion revamp of Iridium’s satellite network, will focus on creating a brand new network of brand new satellites located in the earths low orbit (66 to be precise!), which is enabled by the Iridium NEXT. It has been estimated that Iridium Certus will be capable of providing its users with broadband speeds reaching the dizzy heights of 1.4 Mbps (this is astoundingly fast for Satellite!). The aforementioned 66 low orbit satellites, coupled with L-band transmissions from its user ensures that the Certus network will not be damaged or interrupted as a result of adverse weather conditions. On top of this, through using L-band connectivity, Iridium Certus intends to provide an innovative broadband service, designed to serve the entire earth- you really can stay connected wherever you are!

Where will it work?

The innovative nature of Iridium Certus combined with a great deal of research and development has enabled Iridium to provide a service with capabilities facilitating usage over both land and sea, as well as taking you to aviation heights! With that said, you’ll struggle to find an industry unable to take advantage of Certus’ perks!

Land: With a goal of connecting the entire planet, Iridium Certus could prove to be an imperative tool across multiple industries, with almost every land based sector catered for. It is envisaged that Iridium Certus will provide a perfect solution whether its service is required for personal, commercial or military usage. The versatility of Iridium Certus will guarantee connection in the remotest of locations aiding deliveries and the like for individual and corporate purposes- worried about a lost delivery, never again! Another core user able to benefit from Iridium Certus is response units and will prove to serve as an effective means of communication during day to day emergencies. Additionally Iridium Certus will be paramount to response units addressing periods of crisis and natural disasters; not only will this facilitate situational awareness, it will also allow for potential lifesaving information to be transferred. Furthermore, Iridium intends for Certus to be used in Military training exercises before being incorporated into military operations. Is there really a land based situation where Iridium Certus can’t be taken advantage of?

Sea: Setting sail from the shore and worrying about a lack of connection? Think again! Shipping or cruising, commercial or leisure, Iridium Certus is sure to meet your needs when sailing the seven seas. The L-band frequency incorporated into Iridium Certus means that weather will not influence the quality of connection- an essential factor to consider when out at sea! This uninterrupted access to connection provided by Certus, makes the service suitable for shipping and leisure purposes alike, ranging from navigational and sensory devices to simply checking emails or browsing the web. Iridium Certus also prides itself on being able to provide connections to businesses with off shore bases such as rigs, these are utilized by operated unmanned sensors- gone are the days of being isolated for months off shore!

Air: Internet connection whilst on the plane? Never has a long haul flight flown by quicker (pardon the aerospace pun!). It is envisaged that Iridium Certus will have the capabilities to provide high speed broadband to aircrafts. Iridium Certus provides the perfect solution to keeping both crew and travelers connected whilst in the air. The adaptability and size of Iridium Certus, has led to the design of miniature antennas sized less than 6 cm in height- this makes Certus the ideal solution for providing broadband connectivity on aircraft regardless of shape or size! With its benefits of passenger occupancy and malleable installation, the question on all of our minds really is how long will it be before Certus becomes a mainstay in air travel?

Summary

With an innovative approach fueled by extensive investment, Iridium Certus offers huge potential across a range of different fields (oceans and heights!) of industry. The ability to serve as a useful tool and provide connection to such a broad range of businesses and individuals alike, creates the perfect pre requisites to help Iridium achieve its objective of connecting the entire planet! It would be fair to say Iridium Certus is ‘sure’ to be a ‘certain’ success!

About Will Charlton

Will is the Marketing Assistant for Cellhire plc. He is responsible for improving customers experience both online and offline.

With the internet, use of smartphones and technology largely a good thing, providing mostly good results (mostly), their use throughout society has grown astronomically! But with that said, there has been the unwanted side effect of a rise in the number spam and prank calls. With this becoming a growing issue, the process of blocking such numbers is a question on the minds of many individuals. Therefore knowing how to avoid these tiresome and frustrating issues in the future, is of great importance. A common option to prevent spam callers or contacts, is to ring up your network provider and ask them to block certain numbers. However, this is a task that can prove particularly time consuming. The following guide provides a hassle free, manual approach to block numbers from your iPhone, through either Phone, Facetime or Messages whilst only requiring a small amount of your time. The guide will also elaborate on managing blocked numbers.

Phone App: Blocking numbers from the within the Phone App is a straightforward and simplistic process. Firstly open the Phone App by pressing the green phone icon, as though you were about to make a call or open the contact list. Having completed this, the next step is to open Recents before identifying the appropriate number. Once you have identified the number you wish to block, select the i icon next to your chosen phone number- scrolling down to the bottom of the screen, the final option is entitled Block this Caller. Told you it was straightforward (we weren’t lying!).

FaceTime App: The development and advancement over time has seen the creation of the video calling app FaceTime which has seen a massive increase in popularity. But this isn’t to say you won’t need to block a contact on FaceTime- we all have that one annoying friend! To block a contact through FaceTime, the first step is to ensure the FaceTime app is open (obvious yes, but we wouldn’t want you to forget!). After completing this, tap your FaceTime contacts, before pressing the i icon next to the contact/number you wish to block. Lastly scroll down the screen until you reach Block this Caller.

Messages App: Is it that annoying friend striking again? Or just another advertisement? Constant spam through in message form is particularly irritating and can soon become tiresome- not to worry you can block these numbers at the switch of a button (or 4!). Firstly open the Settings icon, before scrolling down to click Messages. Once you have identified the messages option, tap the Blocked option- this will present you with the option of Add New, select this to type in the number which you would like to block. There you have it the switch of four buttons!

Unblocking Numbers/Managing Contacts: For those thinking it was strange that we suggested blocking the number of just an annoying friend (I’m sure many of you were!). So to avoid any unnecessary awkwardness, numbers can be unblocked just as easily as the blocking process. Following a four step procedure almost identical to that of blocking a number through the Message app, a number can be unblocked simply and quickly. To start this procedure tap the Settings icon, having opened this, the next step is to select Messages. From here tap the Blocked option (this is starting to sound very familiar!). After having completed these three steps, it’s time for the actual unblocking of the number, to do this Swipe Left over the number.

About Will Charlton

Will is the Marketing Assistant for Cellhire plc. He is responsible for improving customers experience both online and offline.

With the holiday season slowly but surely arriving and the long wind down to the big day itself beginning to unfold, we can be forgiven for looking for an escape destination to enjoy the holiday season in, whilst traveling the globe. This blog post aims to find you the perfect European getaway during the Holiday Season, combining fun, entertainment and relaxation- and of course Christmas refreshments and plenty of them!

Rothenburg ob der Tauber: Want to sample a traditional German Christmas Market in a traditional German town with idyllic surroundings? It’s time to visit Rothenburg ob der Tauber! Located in the heart of Bavaria, Rothenburg ob der Tauber houses a traditional German Market set in the backdrop of the City Hall and a Church (or Kirche as it is known locally!), these quaint surroundings make for the perfect photo opportunity so remember your camera! Whilst the Christmas Market itself, isn’t as large scale as other German Markets in the seemingly far larger cities of Munich or Cologne- Rothenburg ob der Tauber still provides still provides all the usual Christmas Market festivities. What’s more it does so without the strenuous long distance walk from one end to the other- leaving more time for eating and drinking, how considerate! Rothenburg ob der Tauber, (that’s becoming quite repetitive, we’ll call it Rothenburg for short!), Rothenburg, has a history dating back to the medieval period- with many medieval buildings and features remaining untouched and well preserved! So having refueled your energy with many festive delights, take a leisurely stroll around the town walls and the iconic defense tower. Or for the reminiscent individuals amongst you, follow in the footsteps of Dick Van Dyke and explore the fictional ‘Vulgaria’ setting seen during the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang film! With such variety offered in Rothenburg, there really is something for everyone!

Manchester, United Kingdom: Whilst not as widely exposed and recognised as many of their mainland European counterparts many of the UK’s Christmas Markets often fall under the radar by comparison. Located in the North West of England, Manchester is home to the UK’s first wide scale Christmas Market opening in 1999. Eighteen years on and the Manchester Christmas Markets now house more than 300 stalls ranging from art and crafts to clothing and jewelry outlets to global and local food stalls. Additionally, the Christmas Markets are well connected to Manchester’s extensive transport network, with St Peter’s Square tram stop located within close proximity- meaning visitors can enjoy a few Steins or a glass or two of Gluhwein. But remember, as the famous saying goes, don’t drink and drive! Aside from the Christmas Markets, a trip to Manchester wouldn’t be complete without a taste of the cities football obsessed culture; the city is home to the world famous football club, Manchester United. The three times European Champions, offer Stadium experiences and tours at their home ground, Old Trafford, throughout the week. But if you’re lucky enough to be in Manchester on a matchday- it would be rude not to take in a match! Additionally if you’re looking to sample some Mancunian history, head to the Lowry, which alongside two theatres houses a range of galleries including the works of its namesake L.S. Lowry, whose matchstick paintings depicted working class life in Manchester throughout the 20th century.

Lapland, Finland: Somewhat a given at Christmas time! Release your inner child (we’ve all got one!), indulge in Christmas spirit and relive forgone Christmas memories of yore! Lapland provides the opportunity for you to visit Father Christmas (and yes it is the real one!) in his humble abode, providing children and adults alike a first rate, non-comparable Christmas experience. If you’re traveling with young children visiting Lapland’s Santa experience is a must, with the minds of 4-8 year olds at the peak of encapsulating enchantment! But it would be incredibly naïve to think visiting Santa is Lapland’s main offering- admittedly I did at first glance, so I guess you could be forgiven! The Scandinavian destination also offers plenty for the adrenalin junkies out there, why not try your hand at Snowmobiling through mile after mile of snow passages deep in the woodland. Or why not experience a bit of local culture whilst still releasing that adrenalin, enjoy a husky sled ride through similar routes! Whichever activity you chose or whether you opt for both, Lapland provides visitors with multiple wind down options, from enjoying a drink or three in the ICEBAR, to catching a well-earned 40 winks in the ICEHOTEL- Lapland has got covered and caters for people of all ages and interests!

Copenhagen, Denmark: A visit to the Danish capital is a must during the Holiday Season with no festive trimming spared. The Tivoli Gardens in the city centre are adorned with a spectacular array of Christmas lights and thousands of Christmas trees pave the way around the Christmas Market with over 60 stalls. Each of which provide plenty of Christmas treats- so you can return home with gifts and delicacies, to ensure those who missed out on a trip to Copenhagen aren’t too jealous. Tivoli Gardens also caters for the thrill seekers, housing an amusement park with 27 attractions. Although for those enjoying the rides after the Christmas Markets, it might be wise to take it easy on the Christmas treats before braving the Spinning Top! Despite Tivoli Gardens bringing multitudes of Christmas entertainment, this is merely the beginning for Copenhagen’s Holiday Season offerings! Located on Copenhagen’s harbour side Nyhavn, renowned for its vast array of colorful buildings also transforms into an all things Christmas area during the Winter season. Whilst Nyhavn provides your usual Christmas Market attractions and offerings, the district goes one step beyond allowing you to meet and interact with animals- including the former Carlsberg Brewery Horses and the namely Nyhavn Pixies (they’re actually Ponies!). Denmark as a nation is world renowned for its pastries, for those of you with a sweet tooth or those looking to indulge in Danish cuisine whilst visiting Copenhagen- you’ll be pleased to know you’re never too far away from the scent of pastry or a bakery. With that said, you won’t need reminding (but here’s a reminder just in case), make sure you sample some traditional Danish pastry during your stay!

About Will Charlton

Will is the Marketing Assistant for Cellhire plc. He is responsible for improving customers experience both online and offline.

Smartphones and more specifically iPhone’s are rapidly becoming part of people’s everyday life. With many people unable to function without them, they are an essential tool in both working and social life’s of almost every modern day individual- although there is nothing wrong with a face to face conversation (every now and then!). With the clear importance of the iPhone highlighted, the following Seven Step guide , aims to walk you through setting up your device- after all you can’t use a phone without setting it up, can you?

1) Turn on your device: The first step on the ladder to set up your iPhone is (need we say it, we probably should!) is to turn on your device. This step is achieved by pressing the button at the top of your phone on the right hand side. Whilst a simple and straightforward step, this is the most important stage in the set up process and kick starts your setting up process.

2) Internet Access: Following on from this, you can now begin with the more technical side of the set up process. To set up your device, regardless of the generation or model you will need access to the internet. With that said, it is advised that if possible you connect the device to a WiFi connection. After all you wouldn’t want to eat into your monthly data plan before you can actually use your iPhone! Would you? Of course not, how else are you going to send selfies on the move?

3) Selecting a WiFi connection: You surely know how to connect to a WiFi by now don’t you? (we’ll tell you anyway!). Connecting to your chosen WiFi connection is a relatively straightforward procedure, with available WiFi connections within close proximity being easily located. These can be found by opening Settings > WiFi, having opened the WiFi icon simply tap the network of your choice. You will often find a range of different WiFi connections listed as available with certain networks requiring you to enter the password before granting access.

4) Insert your SIM Card: Following this it is essential to ensure that you insert your SIM Card into the device before proceeding further (this might seem too obvious, believe us it’s not!). Firstly identify the hole on the SIM Card Tray, using the SIM eject tool readily provided in the box your phone arrived in pull out the SIM card tray. After having done this place your SIM Card on the top of the tray. It is paramount that the SIM Card is correctly aligned otherwise the Tray cannot be reinserted, with the said gently place the SIM Card tray back in its original location. Whoever said inserting a SIM Card was an obvious procedure!

5) Create Touch ID/Passcode: The next step you will be greeted with is the option to create a Touch ID or Passcode. The touch ID is the preferred option for the technologically curious, whilst some of us (myself included!) are still getting to grips with the Passcode side of things! Whilst neither option is mandatory, it is recommended as a security measure to prevent people accessing your personal contacts and information in a case of theft or loft (or the wandering eye of friends!). In terms of security, both options are relatively secure, that is assuming you’ve not opted for the Passcode ‘1234’- in which case there’s still time to change to a less obvious Passcode. With the Touch ID being Fingerprint based it is almost impossible for anyone else to access your device even with 7.6 billion people in the world!

6) Sign in/Create Apple ID: Once completing your Touch ID or Passcode, you will be asked to Sign in with your Apple ID. For existing users of iPhones or individuals who already have an Apple ID, this is merely a case of entering your Apple ID and typing your password before proceeding. However, those who are new to the concept of an Apple ID will need to create their own Apple ID before continuing- don’t worry, it’s not as scary as it sounds! The main function of an Apple ID is to facilitate the sign in process of Apple’s online services such as the App Store, iTunes, and iCloud. To create your Apple ID you need to provide your existing email address which is unrestricted and can be from any email provider. Told you it wasn’t too daunting!

7) Set up Siri/ other services: The final stage of your iPhone set up guide is designed to help you make the most of the features available to all iPhone users including email and location services- it is essential you enable location services for navigational purposes and if you are likely to use transport based apps such as Uber! At this stage you can enable your very own Personal Assistant in Siri, to activate Siri select the option on the Siri set up screen entitled Turn on Siri. Once the entire set up process has been completed, future use of Siri can be accessed by holding down the Home Button or saying “Hey Siri”. This stage of the iPhone set up process is optional and is not compulsory, but you surely wouldn’t want to surpass the opportunity of asking Siri to say Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, would you?

About Will Charlton

Will is the Marketing Assistant for Cellhire plc. He is responsible for improving customers experience both online and offline.

When it comes to traveling using an app is make or break. Many apps can prove crucial to facilitating your trip as hassle free as possible. Whether you’re looking for weather forecasts, taxi services or accommodation, for the modern smartphone user there is literally an app to aid all aspects of your trip. This blogpost aims to identify the essential apps you should download, to ensure a smooth trip whether traveling for business or leisure!

1) RometoRio: When it comes to travel based apps, the first idea that crosses the minds of most is often navigation based. With 136,284 Train Lines, 745,105 Bus Routes, 9,393 different ferry crossings and 49,832 flight paths, it would be rude not to let RometoRio organize your transportation! Wouldn’t it? What’s more, the app also sources rental cars and provides the option to allow booking.com to search for available accommodation during your stay- ideal for the spontaneous traveler. This trip is really starting to come together!

2) Flight Stats: Tired of waiting around for delayed flights or hurryingly trying to find the correct terminal or departure gate? Flight stats provides the perfect remedy to ensuring your airport experience starts a vacation in the way you mean to go on- relaxing and stress free! The app provides a notification if flight is experiencing a delay, allowing time for a leisurely stroll around the terminal duty free. Similarly a notification is also sent once the departure gate is announced, preventing you from experiencing the struggles of a lengthy queue! Flight Stats even provides a flight map for the more curious travelers amongst us (me included!).

3) Accu Weather: Whether traveling for business or pleasure awareness of your destinations weather forecast before packing and departing is always a useful thing to have. You wouldn’t wear shorts in a snowstorm would you? The app can also prove a time and space saving commodity, by eliminating need to pack unnecessary items of clothing. Therefore not only do you save time and space, Accu Weather app also avoids the Airport check in embarrassment of being other the baggage limit and systematically removing pairs of socks!

4) Airbnb: Airbnb provides an alternative to accommodation booking to contacting a hotel. This app enables sourcing accommodation that provides you with more freedom and flexibility. Opposing the traditional hotel or bed and breakfast facility, Airbnb allows you to house share or rent a house for the duration of your stay. This creates a greater degree when it comes to checking in or out and mealtimes- after all a home cooked meal (whilst traveling!), always beats a hotel set menu! Additionally, house sharing also allows you to interact with other people who are also tourists in your destination!

5) Maps: Maps is an essential application when looking to find your way around a vacation destination or even your hometown (yes, I may have used it in the latter!). Which confirms that maps is particularly useful when traveling to and navigating your way around an unknown or unfamiliar destination. Maps carefully analyses roads and footpaths for the motorists and pedestrians, verbally and visually guiding you through the quickest route from A to B making the act of being lost a thing of the past! The app even has a public transport option identifying bus or metro routes and detailing their departure times!

6) Uber: Uber provides a revolutionary concept in the transport industry, instead of manually calling a taxi firm from your cell phone with potentially long waits and expensive fares, Uber allows for you to simply search for your chosen destination from your current location. This can prove a particularly useful tool when traveling to an unknown city, as the app locates the closest Uber driver to your location- minimising waiting times and avoiding awkward language barriers.

7) Trip Advisor: Not every day is a holiday (in fact they’re few and far between!), so it’s essential to maximise enjoyment during those that are- Trip Advisor is certainly pivotal in achieving this! Trip Advisor is based around people’s experiences and reviews at hotels and restaurants and is a constantly expanding database. This service provides you with the opportunity to identify the best hotels and restaurants to make your experiences as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. In other words it identifies where’s hot and where’s not- embracing the former and carefully avoiding the latter!

8) XE Currency: Renowned for its accurate and fast transition of information, XE Currency facilitates the conversion of multi currencies with ease. The app also downloads and stores the rates of different currencies, this is particularly useful when traveling abroad as it will significantly reduce any roaming charges that you could be exposed to! Additionally historic data and precious metals are also stored within the app on off line mode, allowing for the monitoring of trends.

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